CAD Chapter 7 Vocabulary Terms

Absolute coordinates - in a CAD system, coordinates located in relation to the world coordinate system
origin (0, 0, 0)
Array - in a cad system, and orientation of copied objects in a rectangular or polar pattern
Assembly - a unit fitted together from manufactured parts
Attributes - in a CAD system, text strings of information about related symbols, such as product numbers,
sizes, or materials
Base feature - in parametric modeling, the feature that defines the most basic shape of contour of a part
model
Base view - in parametric modeling, the first view inserted into a layout when creating a drawing
Bill of materials - a table that lists all the info about the parts and materials needed to manufacture a part
or assembly
Blocks - in a CAD system, objects designed for multiple use
Cartesian coordinate system - a system in which coordinates are located along the x axis, y axis, and z
axis (the axis projecting perpendicular form the XY plane)
Chamfer - an angled cut made to remove the “corner” of 2 perpendicular surfaces
Computer-aided design/computer aided manufacturing - a type of manufacturing in which machining data
is generated form CAD drawings and used by computer numerical control (CNC) machines
Coordinates - the positions or locations of points on the X, Y, and Z planes. In a CAD system, the points
represent unites of real measurement from a fixed point
Degrees of freedom (DOF) - the freedom of movement or rotation of a part. Each part has 3 degrees of
linear movement along the XYZ axes and 3 degrees of rotary motion about the XYZ aces. A part is fully
constrained when all degrees of freedom are removed
Direct distance entry - in a CAD system, a drawing aid used to specify accurate distances when drawing
lines by moving the mouse in the desired direction and entering a measurement value
Feature-based modeling - a type of modeling in which features make up the basic building blocks of a
part and are constructed using sketches or other modeling blocks
Fillet - an arc representing an inside rounded corner. See also round
Geometric constraint - in parametric modeling, a condition that controls a geometric relationship between
objects
Grid - in a CAD system, a network of uniformly spaced points used to determine distances
Hatch pattern - in a CAD system a predefined pattern used to represent a material or special graphic
symbol
Layers - in a CAD system, groupings of objects that can be thought as a system of “overlays” similar to
the drawing sheets used in manual drawing
Linetype - in a CAD system, a user-defined object setting used to describe a line definition in the Alphabet
of Lines
Model dimensions - in a parametric modeling, dimensions in a drawing file that control the model
geometry when edited. Also called driving dimensions
Object snap - in a CAD system, a function that allows the the cursor to be aligned, or snapped, to specific
locations on an object
Orthogonal mode - in a CAD system, a drawing mode used to draw straight lines by confining the cursor
to horizontal and vertical movement
Parameters - in parametric modeling, dimensions that control the size or location of geometric features
Parametric modeling - an advanced form of 3D modeling in which the model dimension, or parameters,
are defined and modified as needed throughout the modeling process
Part - in parametric modeling, a 3D model constructed to represent a mechanical component
Pixels - in computer drawing, tiny shaped of data making up a raster image. Also called picture elements
Polar coordinates - in a CAD system, coordinates located at a given distance and angle
Raster objects - in computer drawing, objects made up of pixels. Also known as bitmap graphics
Reference dimensions - in parametric modeling, dimensions in a drawing file that are created manually by
the user. Also called drawing dimensions
Reference plane - in parametric modeling, a user-created construction plane
Relative coordinates - in a CAD system, coordinates located in relation to the last coordinate specified (or
the origin, if a previous point has not been specified)
Rendering - in a CAD system, a highly realistic representation of a model with lighting, shadows, and
other visual effects applied
Resolution - a term used to describe the visual quality of a raster image, determined by the number of
pixels making up the image
Round - an arc representing an outside rounded corner. See also fillet
Scanner - a computer hardware device used to convert a hard copy image into digital form
Scene - in a CAD system, a model set up for rendering with appropriate lighting and materials
Schedule - on mechanical drawings, a chart or table used to list manufacturing and purchasing
information about parts and products. On architectural drawings, a table listing required materials and
items. Common schedule on architectural drawings include door schedules, window schedules, and
lighting schedules
Sketch - in parametric modeling, a 2D profile used to create a feature of a part
Snap - in a CAD system, a function that allows the user to align or “snap” the cursor to specific
increments in an invisible grid
Solid model - a type of CAD model that represents the entire mass of an object and is considered to
created from the actual material making up the object
Solid modeling - a type of 3D modeling used to create solids (objects that represent the entire mass of an
object)
Subassembly - a unit of parts that must be assembled together before being added to a larger assembly
Surface model - a type of CAD model that has an outer “skin” to represent exterior surfaces
Symbol library - in a CAD system, a collection of related drawing symbols
Template - in manual drafting, a plastic sheet with opening of different sizes and shapes that can be
traced accurately
User coordinate system - in a CAD system, a user-defined coordinate system with an orientation different
from that of the world coordinate system
Vector objects - in a computer drawing, objects made up of lines and arcs, defined with point coordinates
in a space
World coordinate system - in a CAD system, a system for locating points using Cartesian coordinates on
the XYZ aces in relation to the 0,0,0 origin